Anyone wishing to see the proverbial “Little Brown Church in the Wildwood, that little brown church in the vale” need look no further than an old country church shaded by ancient pines, hemlocks, and oak trees on the side of a small Centre County, Pennsylvania ridge known as Egg Hill, near Spring Mills. Egg Hill was so named by early settlers here because they found a profusion of wild turkey nests filled with turkey eggs on its hillsides when they first explored it. The peaceful forest and dark ravines near the top of this sylvan retreat seemed conducive for a place of worship, and so what now exists as the current structure was completed at this spot in 1860. Serving as a social hub for its Evangelical congregation of Daubermans, Hennigs, and other families, it remained an active place of worship until dwindling enrollment forced it to close in 1927.

Built to last by skilled craftsmen, it has weathered the winds of winter and the winds of change for over 160 years, but they have taken a toll, as have local vandals who continue to desecrate and damage the building. Much-needed repair work on the foundation and interior and exterior walls was completed in 2020, but now more work still needs to be done to save the church and prevent further vandalism. We are therefore asking donors to consider contributing to the repair costs.

If you prefer, you may also send your check to Friends of Egg Hill Church, 221 Norman Ave., Pleasant Gap, PA 16823. Any help is greatly appreciated, and so we are also applying for grants and soliciting the area to support this effort to save the church. The building is still in good shape and is used for annual Homecoming Services on the last Sunday in September. It can also be used for weddings and other special events if organized through the Friends of Egg Hill Church.

The Egg Hill Church is on the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained by the Friends of Egg Hill Church (a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

Volunteer committee members supporting this fundraiser are: Beth (Leitch) and Jeff Kennedy, Kathie (Harr) and John Corman, Jeffrey R. Frazier, and Jenny (Gladfelter) and Tom Kenly.

For any information about the church (including a quarterly newsletter), please email Beth at bkenn55 (at gmail) or visit the Facebook page: Friends of Egg Hill Church